diagonal 1 of 2

adjective

dī-ˈa-gə-nᵊl How to pronounce diagonal (audio)
Definition of diagonalnext
as in oblique
running in a slanting direction The diagonal design ran up the wall all the way from the lower left to the upper right-hand corner.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diagonal

2 of 2

noun

as in slope
the degree to which something rises up from a position level with the horizon The ramp was set at a low diagonal to make it easier for wheelchairs.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diagonal
Adjective
The vision not only to play a raking diagonal pass for Zinedine Zidane to volley home, but to see the future of the game itself. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 July 2026 Like Sudoku, the result should ensure that each vertical, horizontal, and diagonal row has a complete outfit consisting of a top, bottom, and layer. — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Noun
The painting, surrounded by scaffolding while the church undergoes repairs, is full of thrusting diagonals and shadowy figures, a meditation on both extreme suffering and pointed indifference to it. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026 Chevrolet has equipped the vehicle with a striking 11-inch diagonal infotainment touchscreen, paired with an 8-inch driver information display. — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diagonal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diagonal
  1. oblique
  2. slope
  3. sloping
  4. inclination
  5. sloped
  6. incline
Adjective
  • Shortly before García hit a go-ahead home run 100 miles north in his first game wearing pinstripes, Wood was removed from the game with an oblique issue that requires imaging.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The lineup is also without 3B Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) and OFs Harrison Bader (plantar fasciitis), Jonah Cox (oblique) and Victor Bericoto (oblique).
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
Definition of oblique
Noun
  • Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Some occupy the farmhouses on the lower slope, overlooking the cobbled courtyard and Mediterranean herb gardens, while others are slightly further up and offer panoramic views of the Panzano valley.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of slope
Adjective
  • Gates open to a sloping, 700-foot-long driveway that passes by whimsical sculptures before arriving at a spacious cobblestone motor court.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There was a casual feel in Memorial Auditorium in the hour before game time, as children kicked a ball around on the auditorium’s sloping floor.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of sloping
Noun
  • The inclination to boycott an organization was fairly consistent across party lines—48% of Democrats and 40% of Republicans.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Undoubtedly, a 3-4-2-1 delivered the best results last season, but the manager’s natural inclination is to play with four defenders.
    — Luke Bosher, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of inclination
Adjective
  • Common areas feature self-operating lifts or sloped entryways.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2026
  • The Karine armchair has some serious potential to become your new favorite chair with its sloped arms and relaxed silhouette, energized by a mellow shade of green.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026
Definition of sloped
Noun
  • Bert McCarty, a Clemson University professor of turfgrass science and management, said golfers like how top courses are so different — from incorporating the ocean in places near beaches to relying on inclines in the mountains.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Then, roughly a mile into the trek, the electric assist on Peoples’ mountain wheelchair suddenly stopped working, leaving her to power the remaining miles using only her arms on every incline.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of incline

Phrases Containing diagonal

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diagnostics
diagonal
diagonally
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Cite this Entry

“Diagonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diagonal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on diagonal

Nglish: Translation of diagonal for Spanish Speakers

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